Fredericton jazz is vibrant and thriving

Jazz Trio Solina performing the art of jazz at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. (Jennifer William/AQ)

Jazz has moved out of the shadows. In Fredericton, it’s lively, visible and very much part of the city’s cultural scene. 

On Jan. 31 the Canadian jazz piano trio Solina took the stage at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. They delivered a cabaret-style evening full of energy, improvisation and lyrical interplay. 

The intimate Jim Myles Auditorium let the audience experience every note up close. It created a night where music and visual art came together. 

The trio, Jorian Hapeman on piano, Chad Ball on bass and Evan Ferguson on drums, has quietly been building a reputation for blending classic jazz traditions with fresh, original music. 

“Jazz is about knowing where it’s coming from,” said Ball. “We play songs from the tradition and then we put our own spin on it.” 

That balance of honouring the past while exploring new ideas was evident all evening.  

Hapeman, who discovered jazz after experimenting with drums and classical piano as a teen, described the trio’s focus. 

“For us, it’s about the audience … we really want people to know that we’re doing this for their enjoyment. I hope that for a moment, people can be taken away from the problems of their life and be transported into a place of reflection, comfort and peace.” 

The performance wasn’t about showing off skill. It was about creating a shared experience that could move and connect people. 

“A lot of our communication on stage is like finishing each other’s sentences,” said Ball. “We’ve developed little tricks, catch each other’s eyes and call it as we go. It’s usually the most fun that way.” 

Hapeman’s piano moved between lyrical lines and bold improvisation. Ferguson’s drumming anchored and responded dynamically, keeping each piece alive and engaging. 

Adding another layer to the evening was local artist Bronwyn Celeste, who live-painted the performance. This was Celeste’s first live painting in two years. 

“I love when the boys are really getting into the groove, it helps me get into the groove too. It's kind of like we work off each other, which is very cool. That's when I paint my best,” she said. 

Using only a palette knife, she layered colour and movement in real time, translating the music into a visual experience. 

“The audience does play a role … I have to work quickly while being mindful of people watching, making it engaging while keeping professionalism,” she added. 

The cabaret-style setup made the night feel personal. 

“Tonight was different … people were actually listening, so we had to be on our game while still enjoying the casual atmosphere of drinks and conversation,” said Hapeman. 

The audience responded with energy and applause.

“There’s no harm in playing some covers and then throwing in an original, it’s kind of like a gimmick that people like,” Hapeman said. 

By the end of the evening, it was clear that jazz in Fredericton is alive and thriving. 

Between the inventive music of Solina and the live painting by Celeste, the Charlotte Street Arts Centre hosted a performance that was both visually and musically immersive.